Cultural Appreciation, Not Appropriation: Walking with Respect and Heart

“To love a culture is to honour its people, its roots, and its ongoing story.”

As I close this chapter in my journey through Peranakan culture, I find myself reflecting deeply on what it means to appreciate a culture I wasn’t born into. I’ve asked questions, listened to stories, admired beauty, and tried to understand — not just the traditions, but the heart behind them.

And in doing so, I’ve also held space for a very real concern:
Am I appreciating — or am I appropriating?

The Difference Between Appreciation and Appropriation

Cultural appreciation is rooted in:

• Respect

• Curiosity

• Credit and inclusion

• Listening to lived voices

Cultural appropriation, on the other hand, often involves:

• Taking without understanding

• Using sacred symbols for trend or profit

• Erasing or overshadowing the people behind the tradition

Intent matters — but so does impact.

How I Stay Grounded in Respect

As someone who deeply admires Peranakan culture, here are the principles I hold close:

✅ I Learn Before I Share

I never assume expertise. I listen to community voices, visit cultural spaces with humility, and keep learning as I go.

✅ I Credit the Culture

Whether it’s a motif, a meal, or a story, I acknowledge where it comes from — and who it belongs to.

✅ I Uplift Peranakan Voices

I don’t speak for the culture, but I speak about it with care — and point others to the artisans, elders, and experts who live it.

✅ I See Myself as a Guest

Even when I feel at home in the culture, I remember: it’s not mine to claim. It’s mine to honour.

 Why I Keep Sharing

Because culture doesn’t need gatekeepers — it needs guardians and allies.

And because in a world so quick to forget, the more we celebrate traditions with truth and tenderness, the better chance they have of surviving, thriving, and inspiring future generations.

Reflection Prompt 

What culture or tradition outside your own has touched your heart? How can you honour it respectfully, without speaking over the people who live it?

Topics in This 12-Part Series: Echoes of Tradition – Discovering Peranakan Culture Through a Learner’s Eyes

1. Discovering Peranakan Culture: A Journey of Learning, Love, and Respect
2. What Does “Peranakan” Really Mean? A Journey into a Rich Cultural Tapestry
3. My Personal Journey into Peranakan Culture: A Story of Belonging Without Inheritance
4. Peranakan Food: A Fusion of Flavour and Heritage
5. Threads of Memory: My Personal Connection to Nyonya Fashion
6. Peranakan Homes: Where Architecture Tells a Story
7. Celebrations and Rituals: The Living Heart of Peranakan Culture
8. Words with Heart: Peranakan Language and Expressions
9. Keepers of the Flame: Honouring the Voices of Peranakan Heritage
10. Past, Present & Future: The Evolution of Peranakan Identity
11. Preserving Peranakan Culture: Museums, Makers & Modern Revivals
12. Everyday Beauty: How Peranakan Culture Lives On Through Design
13. Cultural Appreciation, Not Appropriation: Walking with Respect and Heart
14. Final Reflection: What I’ve Learned